The story of the first Egyptian female captain who was falsely accused of blocking the Suez Canal

Marwa Elselehdar, considered the youngest woman and the first to command a boat on the Suez Canal, has been accused in recent days of causing the blockade that kept everyone in suspense for a week. While working as the commander-in-chief of Aida IV in Alexandria, owned by the Egyptian Maritime Security Authority, which transports supplies to a lighthouse in the Red Sea, a rumor began to circulate on the internet that she was the cause. The container ship ran aground. in Suez.

Edited photos and fake social media accounts they were guilty of pushing the lies, which were raised by various media and had repercussions around the world. The headline was based on an actual Arab News article describing her success as Egypt’s first female captain. The image used to start the story, has been manipulated and appears to have been taken from the article by Arab News March 22. The photo has been shared dozens of times on Twitter and Facebook.

According to the International Maritime Organization, women represent only 2% of seafarers in the world. From that point, the 29-year-old, who still doesn’t know who started the rumors, believes she was targeted because of her gender, and he fears that his reputation is tarnished.

In her statement to the BBC, Marwa Elselehdar said: “I was shocked. I felt that I could be white maybe because I am a successful woman in this field or because I am Egyptian, but I am not sure. “

Marwa said he was inspired to join the Merchant Navy after his brother enrolled in AASTMT, the Arab Academy of Science, Technology and Shipping Cadets, but clarified that he had always had a passion for the sea. But Marwa said that she had to endure sexism during her studies and that she had to overcome it on her own. “People in our society still do not accept the idea that girls work in the sea far from their families for a long time. But when you do what you love, you don’t have to ask for everyone’s approval.

In 2017, she was honored by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during Women’s Day celebrations in Egypt.. Next month Marwa will take her final exam to reach the full rank of captain and hopes she can continue to be a role model for women in the industry.

“My message to women who want to be in this career is to stand up for what you love and not let negativity affect you,” he says.

The blockade of the Suez Canal occurred when on March 23, the vessel Ever Given ran aground against one of the retaining walls of the canal. It was not until the 29th of the same month that, thanks to the high tide, the freighter could be released. About 12% of total world trade passes through the Suez Canal. Hundreds of ships were stranded during the days the blockade lasted, and it is estimated that every day it took to clear the blockage disrupted an additional $ 9 billion in cargo. The channel will ask for more than a billion dollars in compensation for the losses.

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